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Since this was so full of qualifications, yet very little factual data, I think they should have written it like a “Jewish mother” would have said it.

Son: “Mama, I’m thinking of taking Vitamin E for my health.”

Mama: “What? Are you dying? Is there something wrong with you that you haven’t told me about? My only son...so young! I blame your father!”

Son: “No, Mama! I’m just going to take a little Vitamin E, because it is good for you.”

Mama: “Are you saying that I didn’t feed you a balanced diet? And now you are suffering and have to take vitamins because you are malnourished? Oh, how terrible! But you...such a picky eater. I can see how you are skin and bones already, a shell of a person.”

Son: “No, Mama, really, I’m fine. It’s just that a little Vitamin E won’t hurt.”

Mama: “Ha! How do you know it won’t hurt? It might be pure poison. But then again, it might not. Who’s to know? I don’t know. Likely nobody knows. And yet, here you are, wanting to gamble your life away taking pills.”

Son: “Okay, Mama. I won’t take any Vitamin E.”

Mama: “Are you sure? It might do you wonders! I and your father take it all the time. In any event you should eat more. If you should die it should not be from not eating.”